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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when touted as the brand-new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a fast rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue reading for more jatropha curcas tree details and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Tree?

Jatropha is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly aesthetically appealing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a good alternative to current biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually been challenged, but it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it needs land that might enter into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "incredibly Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, however it has been introduced around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has actually been attempted, however general Jatropha curcas growing has been a miserable failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be accomplished with extra watering occasionally. It doesn't have any major illness or insect issues in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant is beneficial as a hedge or living fence, or just as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

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Bonnie Grant is an expert landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.